title: Emerging therapies in allergic conjunctivitis and dry eye syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammatory disorders of the anterior surface of the eye consist of a spectrum of disorders that range from ocular allergy, dry eye syndrome (DES), and various infections. They exhibit similar pathological profiles, but have divergent immune mechanisms with some overlap. A number of novel treatments are currently being studied that capitalize on the growing understanding of underlying immunopathophysiology.
  
  
  METHODS
  The goal of this review is to examine the emerging pipeline for noninfectious inflammatory disorders of the anterior surface of the eye - primarily allergic conjunctivitis (AC) and DES - in light of the recent basic science discoveries that have fueled their development. Novel molecules for the treatment of AC and DES from clinicaltrials.gov as well as recently filed patents for new molecular entities were reviewed from PUBMED and OVID.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant progress toward targeted treatments for AC and DES has become increasingly reliant on understanding the immunomodulatory and inflammatory mechanisms of the conjunctiva.
authors.affiliation: Rutgers University, School of Pharmacy, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nye
authors.forename: Shara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rudner
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bielory
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000628:therapy*; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents